Friday, April 30, 2010

This week I have pulled together a nice selection of beautiful textile options for your current jewelry designs. A little bit of ribbon or lace, will help soften up your designs and romanticize your overall look! I chose a little bit of everything and even threw in some leather, felted wool and linen cording too. HAPPY SHOPPING!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Sometime last summer, I began going tribal. I was very inspired by the National Geographic show and recorded all the past episodes of Going Tribal to watch several times. One of the details that caught and held my attention were the neck cuffs that were fashioned in rudimentary ways. The cuffs on the different tribes featured on the show had a common denominator in that they held a special charm or talisman that meant something to the wearer. Some of the neck cuffs had collections of several "charms", others were simple with one or two hanging in the center.

A light bulb idea! What if a neck cuff could be hammered out to feature a special Art Bead? I'd never made a neck cuff before but I had already hammered out a heavy gauge bangle, how much harder could it be?

I was surprised by a couple of things; 1 - You do not need a steel neck mandrel to curve the wire. Sweet! This saves you at least $60 bucks! And 2 - they are surprisingly comfortable to wear. In fact, they bring to the surface a wild feeling inside that has been smothered by years of proper society upbringing.

What you do need;
Bench block - or other hard surface to hammer the wire against, even wood could work.
Hammer - my favorite hammer to use was found in my grandpa's old tool chest.
Flexible measuring tape - something that measures over 18 inches would be most helpful.
Heavy Gauge Wire - Copper, brass or sterling silver, dead soft, 14 gauge keeps its shape very well after hammering. You will need to make sure the Art Bead will slide over the wire before curving the wire.
Flush cutters - Heavy duty wire cutters to cut through your 14 gauge wire
Chain nose pliers - you will need a good pair of wide, chain nose pliers to firmly grip the wire as you shape it.
Round nose pliers - optional, you do not need a perfect loop formed for your latch
Medium jewelers file - I use a dremel with a sanding drum bit to save time and work but a medium rasp jewelers file is an inexpensive way to smooth the edges of your cut wire.
Sharpie pen - to mark measurements on the wire

Begin by measuring your neck where you would like the neck cuff to lie. To create a neck cuff that latches, you will need to cut that measurement plus 3" from your heavy gauge wire. File the cut edges smooth with your jewelers file. Hold the file at an angle as you run its length down the cut edge of the ends.

To curve the wire into a rounded, oval neck cuff shape, hold the middle of the wire in your left hand and tap the hammer on the end of the wire over the bench block with a straight up and down motion. Gradually move the hammer up towards the middle of the wire as you gently move the left hand up. The wire will begin to curve in as you hammer.

Once you reach the middle of your wire, slide on the Art Bead and switch sides so you are holding the curved side in your left hand now and hammering the straight side against the block. Repeat the same motion as previously so this side of the wire curves in also. You can create a sharper bend in the middle of the neck cuff by pushing in on both sides of the ends.

Once the curve is to your liking, measure 1" from one end of the curved wire, mark this measurement with a sharpie pen. Grip this mark with your round nose pliers and bend the end of the wire towards the middle of the neck cuff to form a curve. Press in with the chain nose pliers to complete the loop. This will be the side the latch hooks into.

The other side of the neck cuff can be curved in at 1" to form a simple latch. If you grip the latch in your chain nose pliers and turn it slightly to the side, it will easily slide into the curved loop, creating a secure clasp that will stay closed while the piece is being worn. The amazing thing is; you do not even feel the latch at the back of your neck!

My special clay Art Bead was a gift from the talented and most gracious Barbara Wukich, whom I would link you to but she does not sell online. It's special meaning is accented by the rattles inside the fired clay. This unique bead required a necklace that is as rustic and primitive but did not over power it. I choose to hold it in place on the neck cuff with strips of recycled sari silk and bound wire. A simple tassel of more silk, patina-ted chain and organic shaped bits of metal are hung next to the bead to add to it's wild, tribal charm.

Now I just need a place to wear my tribal neck cuff! I hope you are encouraged to hammer out your own neck cuff from these instructions, I think you will be surprised at just how easy it is.
Much Love & Respect,
ShannonMissFickleMedia

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Have you ever made a bracelet or necklace using safety pins for that edgey look? Did they come apart or were a bit flimsy for your design? Ornamentea comes to the rescue with these brass curved safety pin links.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Check out these great earring holders I found online. Beth Miller who is a silversmith and jewelry artist made them. If you click on her name it will take you to her site. She gives instructions and a supply list for making them. They would be great and inexpensive for an art show.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Each Monday we feature the Designer of the Week. One of our editors pick their favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries. This week's featured designer is Malin de Koning!

ABS editor Lorelei Eurto has this to say about Malin's bracelet,

"That curved focal is what draws my eye into this piece, as well as the curved

lines in the Klee painting. I love the bright and happy colors Malin uses to emulate the painting. Bead placement is so great, and draws your eye around and around, so many interesting things to look at here!

Always a fan of mixed media, Malin throws in some soft silk too, and that

addition makes this divine!!"

If you would like to see more of Malin's jewelry on her Flickr or her blog!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

This weeks winner is Erin of Tesori Trovati!

Congratulations Erin!!

You have won a fun "Off to see the Wizard" necklace from Tari Sasser of Claybuttons!

Send Tari an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.

This week we visit the studio of Lorelei Eurto, Jewelry designer.

This week, I have gone outside of my studio and down to my Dining room to show you how I take my photographs of my finished jewelry pieces. Photography is a vital step in showing off your art beads. I utilize a large North facing picture window in my dining room, along with a small wooden bench, and some kooky props. Watch this little video below, I'll show you what I mean.

I took a photograph of the bracelet in full sun. This is something I try to avoid, as I don't think it really shows off the piece of jewelry very well. There are shadows, and overexposure of light can really affect the true colors of the beads.

Below you'll see the photographs I took while I was shooting the video! 5 different shots to get a variety of different angles, plus a photo to show scale of the piece when it's worn.

To enter to win THIS BRACELET, yea! this exact one!

Please answer the following question in the comments section of this post.

What photography tips do you have? Do you find

that a certain prop works better or a certain setting on your camera is key

to your jewelry shots?

Any questions about

my process can also be posted here!

A random winner will be picked next Saturday, here at Studio Saturdays on ABS!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Click the image above to take you to the Button Treasury on Etsy, there you'll be able to click the links and enjoy some shopping Therapy!
I chose buttons this week, because a few days ago, I did a Button tutorial, and thought it would be fun to tie this into that, so that if you wanted to make your own button clasps, you can actually find really cool ART BEAD BUTTONS on Etsy!

Did you know you can now create Treasuries on Etsy using Treasury East? Before, Treasuries were hard to come by, you had to sit and wait for one to become available and who has time for that? I guess LOTS of people because at any one given time there could be as many as 400 treasuries to see. BUT NOW! Anyone can create a treasury, and it's really easy to make one, to show off some of your favorite Etsy goods!

3. Name your Treasury. You'll see blank squares for pictures and below each, a spot to copy and paste in your URL address for you favorite Etsy goodies. Tip: I went and favorited all the things I wanted to add to my Button treasury within Etsy so that the items were easily found. Click on each listing and copy the URL address.

4. PASTE the URL into the space below each photo, and CLICK ENTER. After creating the whole thing the first time, I didn't click enter and just thought I was all set, created the treasury, only to find out there was nothing in it! Once you click enter after copying and pasting, you'll see the image pop up into the square.

5. Fill them all up and click SAVE THIS LIST.

6. As a courtesy, I sent everyone a convo telling them that I used their item in my treasury. I think this is a nice gesture so that if they notice extra traffic in their store, they'll know why!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

The other day, I wrote a post on my blog about losing my gumption, losing my energy, losing my muse. I felt alone, more than a little worried, and a lot frustrated.

The comments I received made me start thinking about what I could do to get out of this slump, and how I really am not alone -- who of us hasn't hit a rough patch in our creative careers?

There are various reasons you may feel you're in a slump.

Sometimes losing your muse is as simple as getting bored. If you feel like you're stagnating, look around you for classes to take. No classes in your area? Hit the local book store and see what's new in books and magazines. One of my favorite new books is Kerry Bogert's "Totally Twisted" -- it's fresh and eye-catching. Or hit Etsy and search the many jewelry and bead-making tutorials.

On the other hand, maybe you've lost your muse because you're trying to do too much! In this case, perhaps fall back on tried and true designs, stocking up on earrings for the Christmas season, or making lampwork spacers. You'll get satisfaction from getting work done, but you won't overtax your mind by constantly bombarding it.

Finally, you may just need a vacation. Everyone needs a break now and then, and artists are no exception. Give yourself permission to literally stop and smell the roses. Go out and garden. Read a good book. Sit in a coffee shop and people watch. Finish that knitting project you started and abandoned. Do anything that has nothing to do with beads.

I hope one of these ideas helps you in some way, and I hope you'll make comments about how you personally get out of your ruts, funks, and blue spots. I know that writing about mine on my blog helped me a great deal, and I'm taking some of my own advice from this post.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

When I first learned of Art Bead Scene through Lorelei, I felt as if I had come home. I spent hours pouring over the site; past posts, current members, monthly challenges and reader comments. My blood quickened and my Creative Muse was not just awakened but charged as if she had been given Red Bull.

I went to the neglected clay table and pushed aside the embossing powders and flat polymer clay bases I had previously been making a living on and began to create....

An Art Bead.

(insert angelic choir here)

Emerging Pod by me

But the idea of an Art Bead wasn't just for my own creation, there was a whole world of art beads to discover. To obsessively collect and hoard. They would conjure up worlds outside of my own, allowing me to dream and create from those dreams.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

In my on going quest to be organized I am loving my new cookie sheets. I bought mine at the dollar store so I got quite a few for not much money. They are great for carrying everything. I use mine for bead making, kiln loading, jewelry assembling, and more. They can be washed when the get dirty and they stack all together when they are not being used. I have thought about lining some of mine with fleece for laying out beads, It think it would work well.

I wish I could take credit for this great tool but it was my best friend, and art bead maker Theresa Dart of Lily Studios who has used them for years. She keeps all her beads throughout all of her assembly steps on cookie sheets. It just took me five years of watching her use them before I finally went and bought some myself. I am glad I did, I hope you don't wait as long to try them.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
This weeks winner is Christine Brandel. Congratulations!

This is my birthday weekend. I turn the big 5-0 on Sunday! Plus I am having a party tonight.

I am excited to entertain again and I have lived to see 50. If I live as long as my Great Grandmother, I've got another 49 years. I'm on my way to the second half of life.

Above is a design that has been hanging around my studio for a couple years. My original intention was to create a ceramic button that looked like resin. This is round 3 or so of testing glazes. I still don't have it right. So will continue testing. Or I may ditch the design all together. I'm not sure I like it anymore.

Shannon is the author of Handmade Underground Jewelry and a frequent contributor to Belle Armoire Jewelry. You can find her Etsy shop at MissFickleMedia.etsy.com and her blog here. She is currently working on her second book.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

If you've never worked with seed beads or bead weaving, even the smallest projects can seem a little daunting. All those teeny tiny beads, where do you begin?! Today, I'd like to introduce you to bead weaving by starting with one of the most basic and easy-to-do stitches, Spiral Stitch. And, of course, in true Art Bead Scene fashion, we're gonna jazz it up by adding a few handmade art beads to the mix! If you follow the instructions below, you'll be able to create this one-of-a-kind bead woven bracelet in about an hour and a half. I call it Art Bead Spiral. Oh, and if you don't have the exact materials that I've used, please feel free to swap out any color seed bead and any kind of art bead you have on hand. Let's get started!

Terms: (these will help you as you follow the instructions)Pass Through: to move the needle through the bead in one direction (i.e. from left to right)Pass Back Through: to move the needle back through the bead in the opposite direction (i.e. from right to left)

3. Pass your needle through the first 3A that you added and pull tight to form a loop. (Fig. 3)

Fig. 3

4. Add 2A, 1B, 1C and 1A and slide those beads down to meet the loop. (Fig. 4)

Fig. 4

5. Pass your needle through the last 2A of the original 3A that you started with and also the first A that you just added. (Fig.5) You will be passing through three beads all together. Pull tight, allowing the new loop that you just created to sit on top of the first loop. (Fig. 6)

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

6. Complete steps 4-5 as many times as you need to reach the desired length. For the purpose of this bracelet, you will make 2 1/4" of spiral rope using this method. Make sure that as you add each new spiral you are allowing the loop that you just created to sit on top of the previous loop.

Note: As you work, notice the trend. You are constantly adding one bead to the main body of your rope as you add four beads to the outside spiral. In Figure 7, you can see how the spiral rope is starting to take shape as I continue to add four beads to the spiral for every three beads that I pass through of the main rope.

2. Repeat steps 2-6 of the Spiral Rope instructions until you have 3/4" of spiral rope. Make sure to pull tight after each loop you make in order to keep the beadwork close together.
3. Add another cube bead and another 3/4" of spiral rope.
4. Add your final cube bead.
5. Add another 2 1/4" of spiral rope. This will complete the beadwoven portion of your bracelet.

Adding the Clasp:1. Once you've added your last 2 1/4" of spiral rope, string 7A onto the thread along with a closed jump ring. (Fig. 9)

Fig. 9

2. Pass back through the three beads that you just exited. (Fig. 10)

Fig.10

3. Pull tight to form a loop of beads which will be holding the jump ring. (Fig. 11)

Fig. 11

4. Tie a knot by passing your needle around the thread that creates the body of the rope and then through the loop. Pull tight. (Fig. 12)

Fig. 12

5. Pass your needle back through three more beads in the main body of the rope and tie another knot.
6. Complete step 5 again. Pass back through three more beads, pull through and trim the thread.

7. To attach the jump ring on the other end of the bracelet, simply string your needle onto your tail thread and complete steps 1-6 again.

8. Add the open jump ring with the lobster clasp to one end, and to the other end add as many open jump rings as you would like to make the bracelet adjustable.

Congratulations! You have your first Spiral Rope bracelet with some pretty cool art beads added in! From here, the variations are endless. Try using larger beads or beads in different colors. Add larger art beads, add more art beads, or complete more spiral rope to create a necklace.

This is a variation on the technique you just learned. This bracelet features two spiral ropes and Elaine Ray's almond shaped art beads. I added a copper leaf toggle to mimic the shape of the almond beads.

So, what are you waiting for? Try your own Spiral Art Bracelet and post a comment with a link to your creation! We'd love to see your original beadwoven design!

Today's post is written by guest author Marcie Abney. To view more of Marcie's work visit her blog, La Bella Joya and etsy shop.

Cindy Dolezal sometimes follows her muse and makes whatever the clay tells her it wants to be and sometimes she anticipates a design. Looks like Cindy's anticipation over her primary colored beads show below was right on track.